Russian stealth bomber Pak da and its insoluble problem

Focus translated the article of journalist Harrison Cassa about the project of the Russian prospective long -lived aviation complex, which is called "Messenger" in the Russian Federation. Russia is developing Tupolev Pak-stels-bomber designed to compete with B-2 Spirit US Air Force. Due to the design of a flying wing similar to B-2 and B-21 Raider, Pak should reach low radar intersection and permutic velocities.

However, Russia is lagging behind the US in the field of stealth technologies, and Pak's prospects are absolutely unclear. Although the Russians hope to start mass production by 2027, current problems, including war in Ukraine, can delay the process. While Russia is trying to catch up with US developments, there is doubt whether Pak will be able to compare with American counterparts - and fly in principle. The B-2 Spirit bomber has become a turning point in a strategic game.

It was represented as the first aircraft that can avoid radar detection and deliver nuclear ammunition. Over the decades that have passed since the appearance of the B-2, the Russians sought to offset the obvious advantage of Americans by launching their own analogue aircraft into the series. Now Russia is in the process of creating its response to the B-2: "Tupolev" Pak Yes. It is reported that Tupolev is close to the completion of the Pak Prototype, and plans to build six more bombers.

If these plans are realized, Russia will join the Americans as the only country on Earth, possessing stealth bombers. (China is currently hastily developing its own XI'an H-20 stealth bomber). Russia has a rich history of aerospace development. But in the field of stealth technology, Moscow is far behind its main competitor. The United States has been leading in this direction since they introduced the F-117 Nightthawk and B-2 Spirit three decades ago.

The fifth generation of F-22 and F-35, equipped with Stealth technology, are now in service with the United States. The B-21 Raider, which will replace the outdated B-2 Spirit, has already started test flights and is expected to be adopted by the US Air Force in the next few years. The Americans have been ahead of the Russians in the production of stealth bombers. Both Russia and China are in a hurry to catch up with the Americans.

Chinese H-20 is still in the prototype stage, and Beijing has to go a long way before he releases something similar to B-2 or B-21. Russia with its Pak should be closer to the goal than the Chinese, but this program is shrouded in mystery. There is little known about the bomber. If the Western intelligence services have an idea of ​​Pak Da and the stage at which the program is, they did not spread this information among the general public.

What is known is that it is that Pak was created in the form of "Flying Wing", which we know for B-2 and B-21. Like B-2, Pak will fly at permeable speeds, and will have a low radar section. This means that avoiding the detection of the aircraft will help secreting, not speed. This is easier to say than to do, and the Russians have no extensive experience in the development of impressive stealth-frames.

The only Russian Su-57 stealth fighter is known to have the worst characteristics among all stealth flowers in the world. But who knows, perhaps, the Russians have secretly improved their steals. The design of the flying wing, streamlined and sophisticated, is inherently favorable for secrecy. The Russians hope that Pak will go into mass production by 2027. Knowing the history of the slow deployment of arms programs in the Russians, these terms are too optimistic.

The war in Ukraine undoubtedly picks up resources and industrial capacity, which otherwise could be used to develop a new stealth-frame. But now Russia's priorities are aimed at simply maintaining their military efforts by afloat, not developing technologies of the future.

It is likely that Russia will not have to focus on the ambitious stealth bombard projects, but for more practical purposes, such as replenishment of armored personnel carriers and tanks for front-line troops, which join in the third year of the war on exhaustion. Harrison Cass is a journalist who writes about defense and national security, with more than 1000 articles related to international problems.